Bagley Farm to Kids 2026: Building Local Foods Relationships

Are you a Minnesota farmer or producer who is looking to expand your market opportunities?

Are you a school or early care provider who would like to incorporate more locally grown food in your meal program?

The Minnesota Farm to Kids Roadshow will bring together producers, school nutrition professionals and early care providers to make new connections and learn how to build successful relationships. This in-person event will include training and facilitated networking opportunities. 

Bonus this year! Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) trainings will be offered for FREE at each of the Roadshows.  Registration is required if you plan on attending GAPs. Lunch will be provided if you register for both GAPs and Roadshow sessions. See below for more details!

Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) 10:00-1:00

For anyone who grows, harvests or packs fresh vegetables for sale to markets or who donates food to others

This session will focus on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) on the farm. These trainings are taught by the University of Minnesota Extension staff Annalisa Hultberg and experienced farmer-trainers.

Topics

• Best practices to improve safety in growing, harvesting, washing and handling of fresh fruits and vegetables

• Compost/manure use

• Water testing

• Coolers

• Packing area designs and ideas

• Wildlife and pets

• Low-cost handwashing stand

• Creating written procedures to improve safety and efficiency on your farm

• Meeting requirements for a GAP audit

• The FSMA Produce Safety Rule

LUNCH - 1:00 - 2:00

Farm to Kids Roadshow Agenda 2:00-5:00

Relationship Building

Meet your Farm to Kids community! Meet your local farmers, food service directors, regional local food coordinators (RLFC’s) and other local food system supporters who have the resources you need to succeed!

Farm to Kids Resources and Support with Kate Seybold, MN Department of Agriculture and Jayme Anderson, MN Department of Education

Hear from state agency staff about resources and supports available in MN to help farmers, food service staff, educators, and communities engage and succeed with Farm to Kids work!, This session will highlight free resources, trainings, recipes, and menu suggestions, grant funding and more!

School Kitchen Tour with your local Food Service Director

Tour a school kitchen to discover tools and equipment that could be useful in your kitchen. Some favorite Farm to School equipment items you may see include: Combi-ovens, Robo Coupes, or a tilt skillet. Learn firsthand how this equipment helps the foodservice staff. Farmers and producers will also gain valuable insight into the school kitchen space- how much space is in a typical school kitchen? What refrigeration and freezer space is available? What equipment is essential for preparing the crops you produce? The tour will be a great peek behind the scenes of school foodservice operations.

Making Community Connections

Time for prospective buyers and producers to meet and talk about potential connections for sales.

The Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow is free and organized by Renewing the Countryside, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Department of Education, and University of Minnesota Extension. Funding is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Patrick Leahy Farm to School program.

All sessions will close at capacity so register early!

If you have any questions while registering contact Sara George at sara@rtcinfo.org